05/08/2026
Celebrating a Pillar of Cut Bank: Honoring Randi Larson
They say if you want something done, ask the busiest person you know. In the Cut Bank School District, that person is Randi Larson.
Randi doesn’t just meet the requirements of her job; she consistently goes above and beyond them. She has poured a tremendous amount of her own time, heart, and energy into our students and our schools. It is for this reason that the Cut Bank Education Foundation and Alumni Association was proud to name her our 2026 Shining Star award recipient at this past April’s scholarship reception.
Whether as a teacher, librarian, athletic director, or staff advocate, Randi’s 32-year career has been defined by two things: heart and grit.
We saw that grit firsthand during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Cut Bank Teachers Union President, Randi worked hand-in-hand with administration to navigate the unknown, ensuring our staff felt safe and supported as they returned to the classroom. Randi’s commitment to collaboration was further evidenced by her leadership through three amicable and successful negotiation cycles, focusing on rebuilding trust and fostering positive relationships across the district.
Beyond the classroom and the boardroom, her passion for Cut Bank’s students and community shines. She was instrumental in renaming our football field to Kowalski Field, coordinating with the Alumni Foundation and Don Paulson to create a lasting legacy for our town. Her desire to grow school pride and encourage community involvement continued with working alongside the CB Booster Club and Student Council to transform Homecoming into the vibrant, inclusive celebration it is today.
Randi has worked hard to create vast and meaningful experiences for Cut Bank students and athletes. Randi has been involved with the Close Up program since 2015 and led six impactful Close Up trips to Washington, D.C. She was instrumental in implementing an Indian Education for All program in Cut Bank, creating opportunities for all students to learn and appreciate the distinct and unique cultures and heritages of American Indians. With the help of Don Paulson, Randi also designed and built the Wrestling Wall of Fame in the wrestling room that includes state placers since the beginning of the wrestling program. Randi’s organizational skills, logistical expertise and strong work ethic was integral to successfully hosting major events like the CB Booster Invitational Wrestling tournaments and several divisional and district basketball tournaments.
Randi is the first to say that her achievements were a team effort. She credits her success to the unwavering support of the Cut Bank Booster Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Alumni Foundation, and the district's administration. Randi is incredibly grateful for the invaluable mentorship of colleagues like Wade Johnson, Tres Genger, and Don Paulson, and the steadfast support of their husband, Scott.
It is this combination of dedication, leadership, and devotion for the Cut Bank school district and community that makes Randi so deserving of this recognition. We are incredibly fortunate to have her in our corner.
